David - 4:49 am on Jan 3, 2002 (gmt 0)

I am not yet in a position to contribute. I am just starting to get a envoronment that will allow me to be productive. These coments are from someone who was looking for an alternative to Windows from a work station stand point and to become so familiar with how to put a nix system together that I would be able to with confidence work on a nix server. As I am learning I see two parts.

1. System administration: Creating a stable point and click environment for the average user that is secure and easy to navigate. This part of the learning curve includes basic and advanced bash comand's. Installing and finding the right programs and placing them in the right file directory. Setting up firewall ip-chains or tables. Setting up a xwindow system. Setting up a network system that allows a windows partition to be used.

2. I will just call this part "Getting my work done". For the things that I have to accomplish in a day the command line is not going to be the most productive. I currently have 4 desktops.

a.)This one is set up for what ever my current web project is; html editor,ftp program,graphic program and a browser or two.

b.) This one is set up with a virtual machine with windows 98 loaded that I can use for those things that I haven't yet learned to do with Linux. Plus the fact remains that at least 90% of my site users will be using Windows and I need to test. Its my goal to soon not have Windows access the web at all. I can view projects on my local Apache server.

c.) This one is set up with my e-com site order info stuff, email program and brick and mortar financial stuff.

d.) This one is open for when the phone rings and I have get at something that is not already running.And where I keep a browser open pointed at Webmasterworld:)

The transition for me has been challenging. The multi-tasking abbilities that I am seeing with Linux are going to increase my productivity. My guess is that most of us here at Webmasterworld make our living in the "Getting My work done Part". Its the transition from system's admin that is the bear.

Still dont have it all working but every day gets a little closer.

As questions come up I will contribute where I can.

David